Bowlby's monotropic theory of attachment Flashcards
What is Bowlby’s theory?
Bowlby suggests that emotional bonds and attachments have an evolutionary function
Whose work was Bowlby mostly influenced by ?
He was influeneced by the work of
- haslow
- lorenz
What is meant by the evolutionary function?
Through evolution infants became genetically programmed to stay close to their mother for survival
What is meant by social releivers ?
The innate species-specific attachemnt behaviours
What does having an attachment give our species ?
It gives our species an adaptive adavantage
- making us more likely to survive as if an infant has an attachment to a caregiver , they are kept safe, given food and kept warm
What do social releasers do ?
Social releasers unlock the innate tendency of adults to care for them
What do social releasers include (4)
- crying to gain attention
- looking,smiling and vocalising to maintain attention
- following and clinging to gain and maintain proximity (physical closeness)
When do babies have to form the attachment with the care-giver ?
During a critical period
When is the critical period?
Between birth and 2.5 years old
What did bowlby say would happen if an attachment wasnt formed during the critical period ?
The child would be damaged for life
- socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically
What is Bowlby’s theory of monotropy ?
Bowlby beleived that infants form one very special attachment with their primary care giver (usually mother
What ahpoens to the monotropy if the mother is not available ?
The ingfant could bond with another ever-present adult, mother substitute
Through the monotropic attachment what will the infant form ?
They will form an internal working model (mental schema) for relationships
What will all the childs future adult relationships be based upon ?
They will be based on the relationship with their mother
What will positive early relationships result in ?
Positive adult relationships
